Marshawn Lynch doesn't talk

(Buy a Marshawn Lynch jersey here.)

To say Marshawn Lynch is an oddity would be an understatement. The man is famous for Skittle-guzzling, he coined the phrase "Beast Mode" for the way he plays and his grill is a road of gold. Seahawks fans love Lynch since he's everything their former running back, Shaun Alexander, was not. Hard-hitting, bruising and somebody that fights for extra yardage.

However, you won't here much from him. Or about him, for that matter. The running back is a bit of a recluse when it comes to speaking with the media and nobody is hyping him up heading into this post season despite rushing for over 1,500 yards this season and 11 touchdowns. The media spotlight seems to be brightly focused on rookie quarterback Russell Wilson and maybe that's how he wants it.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times wrote an article about the enigma that is Marshawn Lynch. Naturally, there are no quotes from Lynch.

Perhaps its the way he talks, since apparently he has his own language...

This story should be easier to write. Lynch is not only one of the most important players on Seattle's team, but one of the most colorful. The man who authored the third-highest season rushing total in franchise history has a gold tooth and his own distinct way of talking that can only be described as Marshawnese. "What you say, bruh?" he asked during an interview earlier this year. It was a request to repeat the question.

Although, you can't really blame him for being leery of the media. He has had a few run-ins with the law and that cost him the starting job in Buffalo. Only 26, he has found a spot in the lineup of Seattle but don't expect any wonderful ancedotes from Lynch.

Outside the locker room, the man known for breaking tackles is more apt to throw a block. In Toronto last month, Lynch was in the team's hotel when a woman approached him and asked, "Are you the Skittles guy?" "I'm Marshawn Lynch," he said. She wasn't sure what to make of that. Later, when someone else asked if he played football, Lynch just said he was waiting for his friend. If he's going out of his way to avoid interviews, it's because he's not all that interested in letting people inside. He's run the gamut of media coverage. He received credit for back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons in Buffalo. Then he was criticized during a prolonged hit-and-run investigation and an unrelated three-game suspension that stemmed from a weapons charge in California. This offseason he was arrested for DUI in California, a charge that still must be resolved.

So the reclusive, yet affable running back will talk the bulk of the carries this weekend for Seattle in their first-round playoff games. Fans will certainly be thrilled when he runs somebody over. That's how we treat guys that can carry a football. It's still an oddity, however, that a man so colorful as Lynch doesn't speak with the media. Since he's doing so well right now, people just think it's quirky. If his performance drops off, however, will people start to think its arrogant or mean-spirited?

Marshawn Lynch is going to be a Seahawk for a long time

This is a bigger signing by the Seahawks than you think. By re-signing Marshawn Lynch, Seattle has corraled themselves a solid yards producer and scorer... somebody who is now coming into his prime as a running back. At just 25, the Seahawks' four-year contract should cover the best four years of Lynch's career.

This is a smart, smart signing, and it's surprisingly cheap. That 17 million dollar price tag is just 4.25 million a year of guaranteed money. If he hits all the contract requirements, its only 7.75 million per year. I don't think fans or the front office is going to complain about that price tag, even if Lynch is average for the next four years. Ask the Tennessee Titans how paying their running back lots and lots of money is going for them.

It also gives the Seahawks a marketable star, and a clear weapon on offense. Here's what Sports Press NW had to say about the signing...

A major deed on the Seahawks’ off-season to-do list was done Sunday night when leading rusher Marshawn Lynch was signed to a deal that, according to multiple media sources, is potentially worth $31 million over four years, with $17 million guaranteed.

The Seahawks were up against an NFL deadline Monday for placing franchise tags on players. But the tags are for a single year and both sides wanted more contract length. If the Seahawks did not reach a deal at all, he would have been an unrestricted free agent March 13.

“We are excited to keep Marshawn as an important part of what we are building,” general manager John Schneider said in a club release. “This is what we were hoping for when we acquired him from Buffalo.”

Lynch, 25, has been the most productive running back since Shaun Alexander’s 2005 season helped the Seahawks to the Super Bowl. In 2011, Lynch had career highs in rushing yards (1,204) and touchdowns (13) and also scored in a club-record 11 consecutive games. That broke by two Alexander’s mark, also in ’05. Lynch, also had 100-yard totals in six of the final nine games to spark a second-half surge that helped the seasons to a 5-3 record in the second half.

Seahawk fans are a little pumped about this one...

Seahawks sign Lynch

The carousel, sorry, "Carrol"-sel of players on the roster of the Seattle Seahawks continued today as the team signed Marshawn Lynch from the Buffalo Bills. In exchange the Hawks gave the Bills a fourth-round pick in the 2011 NFL draft and a conditional late-round pick in 2012.

To make room for Lynch the Hawks cut Julius Jones.

I personally like this move. Jones hasn't done anything since his arrival here. And sure Lynch has some baggage (trouble with the law) but what better place for a new start than Seattle?

And one thing is for sure, after the 20-3 beating at the hands of the Rams on Sunday the Hawks could sure use a forceful runner in the backfield.

Since entering the league in 2007, Lynch has 2,765 career rushing yards with 17 TDs on the ground. Lynch's numbers have steadily declined after a breakout rookie year in 2007, when he rushed for 1,115 yards.

Lynch will now be in the backfield with Justin Forsett and Leon Washington.

Forsett and Lynch were teammates at Cal.